PIF-led consortium completes acquisition of EA in landmark gaming deal
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has completed its acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), bringing one of the world's biggest gaming companies under private ownership and marking another major milestone in the Kingdom's global gaming ambitions.The deal, first announced in September…
A Saudi-led consortium, comprising Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, has finalized its acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), marking a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia's gaming ambitions. The deal, announced in September 2025 and approved in December, saw EA shareholders receive $210 per share in cash, with EA's Nasdaq listing now delisted. EA, known for franchises like Madden NFL, Battlefield, The Sims, and Apex Legends, will now be under private ownership.
Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor of PIF, stated that the consortium's experience as a minority investor over the past five years gave them valuable insights into EA's potential. Silver Lake CEO Egon Durban highlighted their plan to invest heavily in EA's future, including leveraging artificial intelligence. Affinity Partners CEO Jared Kushner emphasized their goal to expand EA's reach and inspire future creators.
This acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia's strategy to become a global gaming hub. The country has identified gaming as a key driver of economic diversification, with over 23.5 million gamers in the Kingdom. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute over SR50 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP. PIF's Savvy Games Group, already a major player in the sector, will continue to play a pivotal role in investing in and developing the global gaming industry in Saudi Arabia.
Written by urgent.news from Saudi Gazette's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
